John Dexter (JDX)

JDX is a software services company. Whether you are looking for a Windows application to save time doing mundane tasks around the office or have a genious idea that could be the next Facebook, we can help you turn your idea into reality.

We have experience in the areas of rich web-apps, 3D graphics, medical & scientific simulation, databases and general application development.

Typically, our work with a client could be broken down into the following areas:

• Firstly, talking with you to get a general overview of what you're looking for - a 'back of an envelope' description of the vision behind the project. This allows us to get an idea of approximate timescales and budgets as well as advise on appropriate technology.
• After getting a good understanding of the project at a high level, it's crucial a specification is written before work on the software begins. This is essentially a matter of getting the client's vision onto paper, fleshed out to cover every significant detail.
• Once the specification is agreed with the client, work designing the software can begin. Many companies jump straight to writing code without a clear design, but this is similar to asking a builder to start work on your new house without giving him the plans from the architect. Software design involves putting together the equivalent of achitectural blueprints - detailed, highly technical documents which will give the developers a clear roadmap exactly what they need to build.
• Building the software. From the specification and design, developers know exactly what the code has to do. The process of specifying and designing the software provides a tranlslation from the client's original vision, to the language the developers understand.

In practice, things can be less rigid of course. For instance a client with a strong technical background may prefer to provide a technical specification themselves. Or, a company may wish to have the software designed by an expereinced UK company, but outsource the coding to an off-shore company - though we'd hope to convince you that JDXSolutions is your best option of course!

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss your software needs with you, or simply to offer free advice if you have technical questions I might be able to help with.

My name's John, and I've always been into programming and softwaredevelopment.

I got into programming at the age of 8, making an old Amstrad play Christmas carols. I carried on teaching myself, mainly interested in games and 3D graphics, all the way through my school years.

With a keen interest in Physics, I did a degree in Computer Science, Physics and Maths at Durham University and earned a 1st class degree. Out of university I was hired as a physics programmer for a local software studio developing console games.

Slightly unusually, I ended up working in the transport sector, remaining in the north-east. I worked as software developer/designer on a large traffic management system used by the Swedish transport authority, including several site visits to install and test new software releases in Stockholm.

In another industry change, I moved to a role in the investment banking sector, developing rich complex web-applications used by traders and financial analysts.

I then made the move to self employment. Initially I worked as a freelance developer and software architect, designing web-based applications for companies including TopCoder and ESPN. As time went on, it became natural to incorporate and begin contracting work out.

My first major project lead officially under my company of JDX was www.MyDinos.com, a massive online multiplayer game aimed at younger children. Leading a small development team, I was responsible for the architecture of both client and server software, as well as writing prototype versions to proove the technology was suitable.

The other main project my company has undertaken is a medical training, simulation and visualistation product. Featuring advanced 3D graphics and soft-body physics, it allows doctors to be trained in specific medical procedures, using x-ray and ultrasound visualisations. This project also makes use of several open-source libraries, to work on both Windows and Mac platforms. On this project, I act as technical manager, hiring and managing a team of developers and artists around the world.